http:// 2013-05-02T08:56:41Z 2013-05-02T08:56:41Z balloons-to-mark-anniversary-of-sam-s-death-during-anti-violence-march

  Dozens of balloons with private messages of remembrance will mark the five year anniversary of the death of teenager Sam Davis and pay homage to others also impacted by violence as part of an anti-violence walk along the Noarlunga jetty on Saturday 4 May. Sam’s parents, Nat Cook and Neil Davis, established the Sammy D Foundation in memory of their 17-year old son Sam after he was fatally assaulted at a party in 2008 when he was king-hit and left on life support with serious head injuries “This is not just a walk to remember Sam, but will also highlight the need to educate young people and the broader community about personal violence, the need for good decision making and ways to remain safe,” Nat said. “We are one of many families who have been affected by needless violence and this March gives people the chance to come together, share their experiences with others who have gone through similar circumstances and remember family and friends who have been lost,” she said. Nat said it was rewarding for Sam’s family and friends to see something good come out of such a heartbreaking tragedy, with The Sammy D Foundation now one of the leading organisations of its type in Australia. “We have been overwhelmed at the ongoing support from individuals, businesses and governments in helping us spread our anti-violence message and today  more than 12,000 people in 220 education programs and community groups have participated in one of the Sammy D Foundation programs,” Nat said. Sam’s father, Neil, said youth violence was something that had the potential to impact on every Australian, and the pain and suffering of victims and families was something that can be avoided. “It is heartbreaking to lose a child, but to know that the way we lost Sam didn’t need to happen and could have been avoided was something that no family should have to cope with,” Neil said. “It is important for every young person to be loved, supported, protected and have a positive role when they need it – so that they have the skills and confidence to avoid dangerous situations and how to respond if they are confronted by one,” he said. “Education is a critical part of tackling violence among young people because penalties and consequences are not front of mind for someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the early hours of the morning.” The Sammy D Foundation is currently working in partnership with State Government to develop a state-wide campaign designed to curb alcohol- fuelled violence within the community, especially in and around late night venues. 

2013-04-15T01:18:15Z controversial-study-claims-that-piracy-does-not-hurt-music-industry

Perth, April 15, 2013 - Recently, the European Commission Joint Research Centre released a study which analysed the purchasing and downloading statistics of approximately 16,000 European online music consumers. The study analysed an assortment of metrics, and most of its conclusions were of no surprise to those in the music industry. However, the Commission dropped a huge bombshell on the music industry when it claimed that its findings prove that illegal downloads have no negative effect on the sale of online music. The report went even further, and concluded that illegal online downloads actually stimulate the sales of online digital music. Numerically, the study found that whenever the amount of clicks on illegal download sites increases by 10%, the clicks on legal downloading sites increase 0.2%. The study’s authors, Bertin Martins and Luis Aguiar, offered a series of possible reasons for this behaviour. In the past, the most common argument supporting illegal online downloads has been that many consumers like to use illegal downloads as “try before you buy” copies.  Another possible reason given by Martins and Aguiar is that those who participate in illegal downloading were not going to buy any product in the first place, and thus represent no loss of revenue because they weren’t going to buy any product.Another finding that disagrees with the music industry’s collective opinion is that when clicks on legal streaming websites increased 10%, clicks on legal digital retail websites had a corresponding increase of 0.7%.  The study also concluded that those who download music illegally consume more than twice as much music products as those who do not participate in illegal downloading. Many of those in the study tended to click through more to sites such as iTunes, Soundcloud, Vimeo, and YouTube, using multiple portals to access both free and paid music. The music industry, which has long contended that piracy is partially responsible for a decrease in profits over the last decade, was swift in its rebuttal. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), both the research and its message are not only invalid, but could cause more damage to the industry. Recently, international statistics have indicated that global music sales are headed in an upward direction, but the IFPI is adamant that illegal downloading and piracy still damage the music business by providing free product, thus removing the necessity for consumers to buy those products. Danny Achurch, musician, music teacher, and owner of Monster Music, offers a unique perspective on the current debate over the validity of the report. According to Achurch, “The report has some good points, but appears to jump to an unreasonable conclusion. As a musician, I believe that musicians should be well paid for their product. Recorded music is one of those products, and is one of the few products that can give the performer market leverage by providing passive income.” Achurch continued, “I have heard all of the arguments contending that piracy and illegal downloads don’t affect sales, and I can see how someone could come to that conclusion. However, it is my contention that, if the market is flooded with free product, it devalues the product that people are charging money for.” Achurch concluded, “I do not ever want to see music become devalued.” Monster Music is a network of music teachers in Australia.They provide violin, guitar, singing, and piano lessons in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and most Australian cities. For more information, please call 08 9335 8881 or visit their website: http://www.monstermusic.com.au/

2012-10-17T05:59:30Z gearing-up-for-australia-s-first-over-40s-rock-concert

A North Queensland man who was told he was 'too old to dance' at a Cold Chisel concert will prove otherwise when Australia's First Over 40s' Rock Concert is held at Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville this Saturday (October 20, 2012). Not too old to Dance is the first time an event of this magnitude has been staged exclusively for over 40s and is expected to draw more than 3,000 ageing air guitar enthusiasts. The 10-hour event will take place exactly one year and two days after Richard Fuller's double fist pumping earned him a court hearing, a $450 fine and national media attention. Mr Fuller said he is living proof that age is no barrier to enjoying music and that he's thrilled at the idea of an outdoor concert staged specifically for the mature market. "If my experience last year taught me anything, it's that there are hoards of 'oldies' like me around that still want loud music, a few cold beers and the freedom to dance when the mood strikes them," said Mr Fuller.  "There are always plenty of gigs on for the younger crowd and crooner fans -- especially here in regional Australia -- but this is the first I've heard of a day-long event custom made for the old rockers." Aussie pub rock legends Choirboys and 1927 will headline the concert, giving music enthusiasts a fabulous opportunity to let their hair down and relive their glory days. Bass guitarist for 1927, Simon Shapiro said the story behind Not too old to Dance really resonated with the band."The story of a man being told he was too old to dance really stirred something in us.  When we're performing we want people to dance.  You go to a concert to enjoy the music and if that makes your body feel like moving - then you should be able to do that," said Shapiro. "We're really looking forward to getting back to Townsville and playing at an open air concert.  We'll be praying for good weather and the general spirit of keeping youthful because if you can't dance and can't enjoy music, what's the point?"Popular local bands Back'n'Business, Godfathers of Funk, Alien8, LiveWire and MidLife Crisis round out the  Not too old to Dance line-up. Events organiser -- and the brain power behind Not too old to Dance --  Margie Ryder knows how to stage a crowd pleaser and while she assures concert goers that the event will provide a fabulous duck walk (a la Angus Young) down memory lane, it also has a serious side with $10 from every ticket sold being donated to beyondblue. "Depression and anxiety can often hit people as they reach their 40s," said Mrs Ryder. "Life stressors such as being over-worked; the loss of loved ones; or simply the challenges of juggling life, work and family can be prominent as people reach their mid-40s. We simply want people to take some time out for themselves, get away from the hassle of every day challenges and just relax with friends."About Not too old to DanceIn 2011, at a Cold Chisel concert in Townsville, 43-year-old Richard Fuller was slapped with a $450 fine and told he was "too old to dance" after security guards threw him out of the concert for some harmless dancing in the aisle. The incident garnered national media coverage and sparked fierce support for Fuller's case. Inspired by Mr Fuller's story, Margie Ryder created Not too old to Dance, a charitable event inspired for the thousands of over 40s who enjoy an opportunity to let their hair down and rock on, while supporting a good cause.Not too old to Dance will be held at Townsville's Tony Ireland Stadium on October 20, 2012 from 12pm to 10pm and will include music from popular local coverbands Back'n'Business, Godfathers of Funk, LiveWire, Alien8 and Midlife Crisis; as well as Aussie music legends Choirboys and 1927.Tickets cost $62.50 and are available online or at Party Shop Townsville, 90 Charters Towers Road. Concert goers must be 30 years or older and those born after 1972 must be accompanied by a chaperone over 40.$10 from every ticket sold will be donated to beyondblue to help address the issues associated with depression, anxiety and related illnesses.For more information, tickets and to join the Not too old to Dance mailing list go to www.not2old2dance.com.Click to share:Twitter: #Not2old2danceFacebookSee Townsville's retirees star alongside Choirboys’ and 1927's front men Mark Gable and Eric Weideman as they gear up for Australia's first over 40s rock concert.Ends#For more information, photos or to arrange an interview with Richard Fuller, Simon Shapiro or Margie Ryder, please contact Sarah Mathiesen from Harshmellow Media + Design on 0400 712 861 or e. sarah@harshmellow.com.au

2012-05-07T15:02:04Z community-organisations-join-fight-against-homophobia

Sydney, May 8 - Several Gay and Lesbian supporting community organisations are marking this May 17th as International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) with a new campaign, targeted at engaging members of the community to become allies to battle homophobia and transphobia. The new campaign, which asks members of the public to make a ‘pledge’ to speak out against prejudice, discrimination, intolerance and hate aims to provide hope for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and Questioning (LGBTIQQ) young people. “When I heard about the Be My Ally campaign, I immediately knew I had to move quickly to get in touch with the organisers (IDAHO-NSW),” said Rami Mandow, Chairman of The Community Brave Foundation – a new Foundation which aims at reducing online bullying, homophobia, transphobia and youth suicide. “We wanted to partner with IDAHO to deliver a community message, but we didn’t want to be restricted to our small circles.” “So we sent a few emails out amongst our networks and asked a bunch of community organisations to join us,” said Mandow. “Before we knew it, everyone loved the idea and was right on board. We’ve got the teams from It Gets Better Australia, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Twenty10, Guide to Gay, Star Observer and the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association all partaking in this brilliant community message. It’s so simple, yet so effective.” The Be My Ally Idea is the brainchild of Stuart Garske, after having worked three years with the community for IDAHO. The aim of the project is to continue on the conversation about homophobia and transphobia beyond the May 17day of recognition for IDAHO and ensure that communities, schools and workplaces become more tolerant and accepting. “Like many of our fellow community organisations, we have a strong message when it comes to homophobia and transphobia. And that message is that it will not be tolerated anywhere in society,” said Mandow. “That’s why we want to become allies with so many people in our communities to ensure that we are there to help provide resources, tools, information and direction if young people are being subjected to homophobia or transphobia.” “As all of us Community Organisations launch the campaign, I expect to see a whole lot more come on board. Even with the few teasers that we have released through Community Brave, we’ve had four organisations let us know they are interested,” said Mandow. “Based on this, we are hoping that this will trigger a chain reaction of recognition events around the nation to get people to address homophobia and transphobia when it occurs. Self-policing if it can be called this, both online and offline.” IDAHO NSW is a community based initiative made up of individuals, services and organisations dedicated to addressing homophobia, transphobia, intersexphobia, as well as supporting equal rights for LGBTIQQ people. Founded by Stuart Garske in 2012. The Community Brave Foundation is a community volunteer program which has aims to reduce online bullying, homophobia, transphobia and youth suicide using social media as a tool to communicate with young people providing resources, information and referrals. Established in 2012, Community Brave has released several videos featuring members of the public at Mardi Gras and are about to release a series of videos featuring Australian celebrities. For further information about the IDAHO campaign, or to schedule and interview with Rami Mandow or Stuart Garske, please call Rami on +61 416 853 250 or email admin@thecommunitybravefoundation.org